For converting 78's to digital, I used to use an old Miracord changer
that had a GE VRII cartridge, coupled to an equally ancient Marantz
"audio consolette" preamplifier that has equalization for various old 78
recording curves. I go from the single tape output (remember this is all
monaural) to a "Y" adapter and then through an analog/digital/USB gadget
(I forget the brand, but they are cheap and plentiful), bypassing the
sound card in the PC. I use Audacity from SoundForge for managing the
recording and editing. Audacity isn't at all intuitive, but it doesn't
take long to master most of the applicable functions. I have had to
retire the Miracord, as the rubber idlers are tired and the speed wasn't
consistent. I replaced it with a newer ERC combination changer/receiver
and 8 track(!) player that used to be my son's. It has a 78 record
needle and plays very well (I bypassed the ERC's amplifier and ran the
outputs directly into the Marantz). For 33's and 45' I use my regular
Dual or Yamaha turntables and modern amplifiers, but otherwise the
process is the same. I save the 78 recordings as .wav files but convert
them to .mp3 to save space - the sound quality doesn't suffer. For 33's,
I cut CD-Rs with .wav files. I also save the music to regular
reel-to-reel tape - anything to keep playing the old records repeatedly.
Aren't you glad you asked? I am sure there are much simpler ways to
accomplish the same thing, but I like to 1. mess around with stuff like
this, and 2. avoid spending any more money than I absolutely have to.
All of this was done with stuff I acquired for free, except the
analog/digital converter box.
<http://public.fotki.com/mikesloane/old-electronics-and/marantzpreamp1.html>
and
<http://public.fotki.com/mikesloane/old-electronics-and/ercturntable.html>
Mike
Steve Rigby wrote:
On Dec 3, 2008, at 2:28 PM, Judy Cosler wrote:
any recommendations for a turntable to convert vinyl to digital format?
any that I should stay away from?
want easy, fast; don't want to have to tinker with.
but, i don't want hum or other bad things.
i'm no audiophile really!
I use a "real" turntable, an old school one, hooked up to a stereo
amplifier and couple that to my USB port using a Griffin iMic by using
the tape outputs of the stereo amp. Griffin has some free software that
allows any old school turntable to connect directly to the iMic,
providing proper equalization to the audio signal with the need for
having to go through a stereo amp or preamp in order to achieve said
equalization. I just do not like their software as it is not very
controllable or flexible enough for my taste.
There are USB turntables available, but I do not know how good their
cartridges are. That is why I use my old stereo component turntable,
because it has a very high quality cartridge. Perhaps one can put any
cartridge of their choice into a modern USB turntable, I just don't know.
Steve
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